Spring Tailgate Writeup

[DJ Spanky]

So despite the weather the Spring Tailgate went off without a hitch. At worst we had a light mist coming down, but for the more part it was dry with an occasional peek through of sun. A good number of people bailed because of the weather, so we had a much smaller crew. We did chicken skewers, salmon, veggie kabobs and hotdogs. Oh, and scotch.

First time doing my salmon recipe at the tailgate, so I prepped it the night before. Been meaning to do it since last fall, but the four straight noon games to end the season scuppered that.

Got the tailgate going shortly after 10:

We set up a couple of canopies, bungee corded them to the fence and put up a tarp as a wind break, so it worked out pretty well.

Part of the crew - ended up with just 11 total.

 

[Hondo77]

Very nice!

 

[MADHAT1]

cool

 

[JC_in128]

Looks great. A nice way to spend a spring day. I love grilled salmon. Good times and good eats for your crew!

Our crew of 10-12 regulars thinned out to just 4 of us. We nixed the tailgate since decision to go was last minute. But we did start planning for our 7 tailgates this fall.

 

[Shelby65]

Even with bonus points for the bad weather effort and school spirit, Shelby can’t give you an A. Instead, solid B with easily achievable enhancements for next assessment.

Evaluation:
1. Garlic powder on salmon. Need Shelby say more ?
2. Tunes ? Group looks like young and old Procol Harum still shot combined in one pic and no speakers seen.
3. Vehicles facing tailgate. Not how the pros do it.

Overall, a good effort. You went 1-0 this week. Keep Choppin’ and you’ll be better for the regular season.

 

[RUPete]

Salmon looked good. Wish I liked salmon more because it’s healthy. How do you prepare it?

 

[DJ Spanky]

2. Tunes ? Group looks like young and old Procol Harum still shot combined in one pic and no speakers seen.

Well, if you want the speakers, I was debuting my Christmas gift:

And someone actually came over from another tailgate and shook my hand for my playlist.

 

[Shelby65]

Ok, re-score to B+. Most likely the shameless dude was just making conv to mooch food, but sure, points for music.

 

[koleszar]

Salmon looked good. Wish I liked salmon more because it’s healthy. How do you prepare it?

I can eat every shellfish, fresh water and saltwater fish except sardines and salmon. I don't know what it is about it, but I can't stand it. I mean I can even eat escargot but salmon nope.

 

[Shelby65]

I can eat every shellfish, fresh water and saltwater fish except sardines and salmon. I don't know what it is about it, but I can't stand it. I mean I can even eat escargot but salmon nope.

Eel ? Salmon is mild. Shelby doesn’t believe you’d prefer bluefish to salmon.

 

[RUPete]

I can eat every shellfish, fresh water and saltwater fish except sardines and salmon. I don't know what it is about it, but I can't stand it. I mean I can even eat escargot but salmon nope.

Ha! I hear ya, but I’m not giving up on salmon just yet. Hoping Chef Spanky’s recipe changes my opinion.

 

[koleszar]

Eel ? Salmon is mild. Shelby doesn’t believe you’d prefer bluefish to salmon.

And how many times have you ever eaten Eel or even seen it on a menu? I will say I've never tried it so honestly don't know. We had a 33' Grady White growing up and ate way too much blue fish and flounder.

 

[Shelby65]

And how many times have you ever eaten Eel or even seen it on a menu? I will say I've never tried it so honestly don't know. We had a Grady White growing up and ate blue fish and flounder way too much.

Eel counts. It’s not hard to find. Regardless, it’s especially odd that of all fish salmon is what you avoid. Obviously you are aware of that.

Chris Craft for me, both quality.

 

[RUPete]

And how many times have you ever eaten Eel or even seen it on a menu? I will say I've never tried it so honestly don't know. We had a 33' Grady White growing up and ate way too much blue fish and flounder.

Not eel, but had grilled octopus in a Greek restaurant and it was very good.

 

[MrsScrew_rivals32693]

Looks great. Sorry we missed it but glad we ran into you & your wife on our way out!

 

[beaced_rivals]

So despite the weather the Spring Tailgate went off without a hitch. At worst we had a light mist coming down, but for the more part it was dry with an occasional peek through of sun. A good number of people bailed because of the weather, so we had a much smaller crew. We did chicken skewers, salmon, veggie kabobs and hotdogs. Oh, and scotch.

First time doing my salmon recipe at the tailgate, so I prepped it the night before. Been meaning to do it since last fall, but the four straight noon games to end the season scuppered that.

Got the tailgate going shortly after 10:

We set up a couple of canopies, bungee corded them to the fence and put up a tarp as a wind break, so it worked out pretty well.

Part of the crew - ended up with just 11 total.

My compliments and respect all those fans who put a real tailgate together.My tailgating. Was to pick up a couple proof subs at Tatee Subs on PLAINFIELD AVE IN EDISON ,lean against the car anest them before the game.Good times back in the Day

 

[yesrutgers01]

Eel counts. It’s not hard to find. Regardless, it’s especially odd that of all fish salmon is what you avoid. Obviously you are aware of that.

Chris Craft for me, both quality.

Eel is usually found in Japanese restaurants. Not too many other places. Myself- we grew up eating freshwater Eel. Some of those suckers would get up to 4 ft long. Dad would nail the head to a tree and skin those bad boys. Did the same with catfish and bullheads. Dad used to love it when we would bring snapping turtles home too.

I'm not a huge fan of blues and sort of agree that Salmon is a strange fish to see on the do not eat list of someone that loves fish. though, I have had it so often, I am starting to lose my taste for it. I didn't used to like Sardines but that was when we would only get them from a can. But we have a Greek Seafood restaurant near me that grills them whole and 3-4 of them for an appetizer is my go to...Along with their grilled octopus salad.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Salmon is a strange fish to see on the do not eat list of someone that loves fish. though, I have had it so often, I am starting to lose my taste for it.

Had it every Friday through Lent so I'm thinking of taking a break from it for a bit.

 

[LeapinLou]

Well done Spank. The weather forecast scared me off. You're a real man. I'm a wuss.

 

[Shelby65]

Eel is usually found in Japanese restaurants. Not too many other places. Myself- we grew up eating freshwater Eel. Some of those suckers would get up to 4 ft long. Dad would nail the head to a tree and skin those bad boys. Did the same with catfish and bullheads. Dad used to love it when we would bring snapping turtles home too.

I'm not a huge fan of blues and sort of agree that Salmon is a strange fish to see on the do not eat list of someone that loves fish. though, I have had it so often, I am starting to lose my taste for it. I didn't used to like Sardines but that was when we would only get them from a can. But we have a Greek Seafood restaurant near me that grills them whole and 3-4 of them for an appetizer is my go to...Along with their grilled octopus salad.

In Asian markets too, which are scattered around CNJ and NNJ and a short drive for most. Shelby is a big fan of grilled octopus too.

 

[yesrutgers01]

In Asian markets too, which are scattered around CNJ and NNJ and a short drive for most. Shelby is a big fan of grilled octopus too.

I’m not really going to buy eel when I could get something else. But yeah- the Asian markets always have them.
Grilled octopus may be one of my favorite dishes.

 

[T2Kplus20]

So despite the weather the Spring Tailgate went off without a hitch. At worst we had a light mist coming down, but for the more part it was dry with an occasional peek through of sun. A good number of people bailed because of the weather, so we had a much smaller crew. We did chicken skewers, salmon, veggie kabobs and hotdogs. Oh, and scotch.

Part of the crew - ended up with just 11 total.

Quite the motley crew.

 

[newell138]

Eel is usually found in Japanese restaurants. Not too many other places. Myself- we grew up eating freshwater Eel. Some of those suckers would get up to 4 ft long. Dad would nail the head to a tree and skin those bad boys. Did the same with catfish and bullheads. Dad used to love it when we would bring snapping turtles home too.

I'm not a huge fan of blues and sort of agree that Salmon is a strange fish to see on the do not eat list of someone that loves fish. though, I have had it so often, I am starting to lose my taste for it. I didn't used to like Sardines but that was when we would only get them from a can. But we have a Greek Seafood restaurant near me that grills them whole and 3-4 of them for an appetizer is my go to...Along with their grilled octopus salad.

My dad used to pick up smoked eel at the Viking Deli in Denville every Saturday and bring to my grandmothers for breakfast, so it’s a German thing too I guess

I used to love octopus until I saw that documentary, “My Octopus Teacher”. Can’t eat them now. It seems wrong

 

[LETSGORU91_]

Smoked eel is dessert after sushi.

 

[MrsScrew_rivals32693]

My dad used to pick up smoked eel at the Viking Deli in Denville every Saturday and bring to my grandmothers for breakfast, so it’s a German thing too I guess

I used to love octopus until I saw that documentary, “My Octopus Teacher”. Can’t eat them now. It seems wrong

My father would go fishing & come home with eels. My brother & I have very distinct, traumatic memories of the cast iron frying pan being smoking hot & eels "dancing" all over it as it cooked. Nope. No reels for me, or my brother, after that.

I watched one of those Nat Geo 5 part specials on Octopus, and also decided it didn't seem right to eat them anymore. Those things are ridiculously smart.

 

[newell138]

My father would go fishing & come home with eels. My brother & I have very distinct, traumatic memories of the cast iron frying pan being smoking hot & eels "dancing" all over it as it cooked. Nope. No reels for me, or my brother, after that.

I watched one of those Nat Geo 5 part specials on Octopus, and also decided it didn't seem right to eat them anymore. Those things are ridiculously smart.

they are almost like an advanced life form. Smart, adapting and they have unique personalities.

 

[yesrutgers01]

My father would go fishing & come home with eels. My brother & I have very distinct, traumatic memories of the cast iron frying pan being smoking hot & eels "dancing" all over it as it cooked. Nope. No reels for me, or my brother, after that.

I watched one of those Nat Geo 5 part specials on Octopus, and also decided it didn't seem right to eat them anymore. Those things are ridiculously smart.

He didn’t nail the head to a tree and skin them first?
That’s how my dad did it and then breadcrumbs and fry them up. Was actually pretty good. These were fresh water.
Though, we would catch smaller salt water eels and use them from crab bait. Just mouth through tail with a metal hanger toss them out and pull it back in a few minutes later with crabs hanging on for dear life

 

[RUPete]

they are almost like an advanced life form. Smart, adapting and they have unique personalities.

I apologize. I only had it once in Astoria. Never again.

 

[MrsScrew_rivals32693]

He didn’t nail the head to a tree and skin them first?
That’s how my dad did it and then breadcrumbs and fry them up. Was actually pretty good. These were fresh water.
Though, we would catch smaller salt water eels and use them from crab bait. Just mouth through tail with a metal hanger toss them out and pull it back in a few minutes later with crabs hanging on for dear life

I don't remember the skinning. I remember they would come home in burlap potato sacks and get thrown in the frying pan. 50+ years later it's still traumatic!

they are almost like an advanced life form. Smart, adapting and they have unique personalities.

the Nat Geo show, Secrets of the Octopus, shows all of that. it was pretty incredible to watch, (can still be seen on Hulu)

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Well, if you want the speakers, I was debuting my Christmas gift:

And someone actually came over from another tailgate and shook my hand for my playlist.

picture reminds me how that area used to be open to tailgate in for early arriving yellow-lotters until Rutgers decided they needed it for themselves. same for where they chose to build the visitors center... which they could have built anywhere.. like right off river road on the presidents house unused lawn areas. all those giant shade trees along the road at the yellow lot were great tailgate spots.

 

[LeapinLou]

My father would go fishing & come home with eels. My brother & I have very distinct, traumatic memories of the cast iron frying pan being smoking hot & eels "dancing" all over it as it cooked. Nope. No reels for me, or my brother, after that.

I watched one of those Nat Geo 5 part specials on Octopus, and also decided it didn't seem right to eat them anymore. Those things are ridiculously smart.

Hunting and fishing is not for me. If I had to kill and process my own food, I'd be vegetarian. But because I don't have to watch the brutality and cruelty, I'll support the humans that have to do those awful jobs to earn a living over the rights of the animals.

You're right that octapus are intelligent. But they aren't cute. And they are delicious.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Hunting and fishing is not for me. If I had to kill and process my own food, I'd be vegetarian. But because I don't have to watch the brutality and cruelty, I'll support the humans that have to do those awful jobs to earn a living over the rights of the animals.

You're right that octapus are intelligent. But they aren't cute. And they are delicious.

My Dad was a butcher so seeing all of this is pretty normal for me. I used to hunt and we would bring the deer home, hand them in a tree and the next day, Dad would have them hanging in the garage and he would have help with skinning but told us to leave the butchering to him. And believe me, nothing was wasted. My buddies would bring their deer to one of the local guys that did wild game and they would always admire how much meat we got from ours. The only thing Dad didnt do was make sausage.

With fish- he was amazing. We could come home with 100 or so sunnies, blue gills, perch...a bunch of small fish. He did make us scale them but he would do the gutting and just start filleting and would take him about 30 minutes with perfect little bite size fillets. He would then fry them all up, make a big bowl of tarter sauce and we would have a great meal.

 

[LeapinLou]

My Dad was a butcher so seeing all of this is pretty normal for me. I used to hunt and we would bring the deer home, hand them in a tree and the next day, Dad would have them hanging in the garage and he would have help with skinning but told us to leave the butchering to him. And believe me, nothing was wasted. My buddies would bring their deer to one of the local guys that did wild game and they would always admire how much meat we got from ours. The only thing Dad didnt do was make sausage.

With fish- he was amazing. We could come home with 100 or so sunnies, blue gills, perch...a bunch of small fish. He did make us scale them but he would do the gutting and just start filleting and would take him about 30 minutes with perfect little bite size fillets. He would then fry them all up, make a big bowl of tarter sauce and we would have a great meal.

Guys like your dad are OK with me. They actually show enormous respect for nature by making sure nothing on that animal is wasted.

People that shoot animals for sport? I don't get it. I mean, Hemingway and Teddy Roosevelt seem like cool and interesting men. But I'll never get how killing an animal is fun. Bull fights? Don't get me started, lol.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Guys like your dad are OK with me. They actually show enormous respect for nature by making sure nothing on that animal is wasted.

People that shoot animals for sport? I don't get it. I mean, Hemingway and Teddy Roosevelt seem like cool and interesting men. But I'll never get how killing an animal is fun. Bull fights? Don't get me started, lol.

Agree- and you know what is funny...even the catch and release in fishing baffles me a little. While I love fishing- eating that fresh fish the same day compares to no other meal. Also- just because someone releases a fish, it does not mean that fish survives another day.

My Dad never liked guns after he came out of WW2 and any sort of killing that was not for food. But, he did love and respect meat and fish. Also loved his garden.

 

[koleszar]

I watched one of those Nat Geo 5 part specials on Octopus, and also decided it didn't seem right to eat them anymore. Those things are ridiculously smart.

But Calamari is squid, so you're all good to go.

 

[yesrutgers01]

The other thing with feeling bad for animals and fish that you may eat...90% of the time, you are deciding this as the animal is already in a store or restaurant. The animal you are worried about, is already dead. Just saying

So, don't let them have died for nothing.

 

[Shelby65]

Guys like your dad are OK with me. They actually show enormous respect for nature by making sure nothing on that animal is wasted.

People that shoot animals for sport? I don't get it. I mean, Hemingway and Teddy Roosevelt seem like cool and interesting men. But I'll never get how killing an animal is fun. Bull fights? Don't get me started, lol.

Who shoots for sport in this county and doesn’t eat the kill ? In most cases it’s a requirement to harvest the meat. Bear, elk, whatever. And how is processsing kills respecting nature ? Most of your gymnastics makes no sense.

 

[LeapinLou]

And how is processsing kills respecting nature ?

Nature has made herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. If you are one of the latter two, in my view, you show the most respect for nature by not wasting your kill. Hope that helps.

 

[newell138]

I don't remember the skinning. I remember they would come home in burlap potato sacks and get thrown in the frying pan. 50+ years later it's still traumatic!



the Nat Geo show, Secrets of the Octopus, shows all of that. it was pretty incredible to watch, (can still be seen on Hulu)

When The giant pacific octopus mate it can last up to 4 hours. The females die after their eggs hatch. 4 hours will do that

 

[LETSGORU91_]

Wow...and Spanky bought all those dead salmon fillets...